Sensor assembly and suction apparatus

Abstract

A sensor assembly may include: a main body and one or more first proximity sensors. The main body may include a space through which a shaft of a suction apparatus passes is formed. The one or more first proximity sensors may be disposed in the main body, and may be configured to detect the suction portion that is deformed by the negative pressure. The main body may further include a fixture that has a fixed portion that is fixed to the shaft, and a support portion that supports the main body.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A sensor assembly that is attachable to a suction apparatus including a suction portion configured to suction an object with negative pressure, and a shaft configured to support the suction portion and having an air passage, the sensor assembly comprising:
 a main body in which a space through which the shaft of the suction apparatus passes is formed; 
 a plurality of first proximity sensors that are disposed on the main body, and configured to detect that the suction portion is deformed by the negative pressure, to measure an amount of displacement of the suction portion in a radial direction of the suction portion with respect to the shaft, and to measure an amount of deformation of the suction portion so as to determine whether the suction portion is in a state in which suctioning the object is possible; and 
 a fixture that has a fixed portion that is fixed to the shaft, and a support portion that is configured to support the main body. 
 
     
     
       2. The sensor assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the support portion extends from the fixed portion toward the suction portion. 
 
     
     
       3. The sensor assembly according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein a plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along a circumferential direction of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       4. The sensor assembly according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the one or more first proximity sensors are disposed in a circular shape covering the suction portion. 
 
     
     
       5. The sensor assembly according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along the radial direction with respect to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       6. The sensor assembly according to  claim 2 ,
 wherein the main body is supported by the support portion on a suction portion side relative to the fixed portion. 
 
     
     
       7. The sensor assembly according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein a plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along a circumferential direction of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       8. The sensor assembly according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the one or more first proximity sensors are disposed in a circular shape covering the suction portion. 
 
     
     
       9. The sensor assembly according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along the radial direction with respect to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       10. The sensor assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein a plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along a circumferential direction of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       11. The sensor assembly according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the one or more first proximity sensors are disposed in a circular shape covering the suction portion. 
 
     
     
       12. The sensor assembly according to  claim 10 ,
 wherein the plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along the radial direction with respect to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       13. The sensor assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the one or more first proximity sensors are disposed in a circular shape covering the suction portion. 
 
     
     
       14. The sensor assembly according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the plurality of the first proximity sensors are disposed on the main body along the radial direction with respect to the shaft. 
 
     
     
       15. The sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more third proximity sensors that are disposed on a radially outer side of the first proximity sensor with respect to the shaft in the main body, and that are configured to detect the object. 
 
     
     
       16. The sensor assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more second proximity sensors that are disposed on a side surface of the main body, and that are configured to detect an object approaching the side surface of the main body. 
 
     
     
       17. The sensor assembly according to  claim 16 ,
 wherein a plurality of the second proximity sensors are disposed on the side surface of the main body along the circumferential direction of the shaft. 
 
     
     
       18. A suction apparatus comprising:
 the sensor assembly according  claim 1 ; 
 a suction portion configured to suction an object with negative pressure; and 
 a shaft configured to support the suction portion, and having an air passage. 
 
     
     
       19. The suction apparatus according to  claim 18 ,
 wherein the suction portion comprises a conductive member at a portion to be displaced, and 
 the one or more first proximity sensors are capacitive sensors or electromagnetic induction sensors. 
 
     
     
       20. The suction apparatus according to  claim 19 ,
 wherein the suction portion is grounded.